More than that, he held both the reins under Roderick's jaw with a firm grasp, and stood in such a position that he could control the movements of both the horse and his rider.
A moment's reflection having satisfied Frank that his idea of running over Pierre could not be carried out, he began to look around for his dog.

But Marmion had not yet come up, and Frank was compelled to acknowledge to himself that he was as completely in the villain's power as he had been when Pierre had the lasso around his neck.
"Get down off that horse, I say," commanded the Ranchero.
"So you have turned highwayman, have you ?" said Frank, without moving.
"Do you find it a more pleasant and profitable business than herding cattle ?" "Are you going to get off that horse ?" asked the robber, impatiently.
"What's the use?
You will not find a red cent in my pockets." "I suppose not; but if I take you with me, I'll soon find out how many yellow boys your uncle carries in his pockets." "If you take me with you!" repeated Frank.

"What do you mean ?" "I mean just this: I shall find it exceedingly lonesome living here in the mountains by myself, and I don't know of any one in the world I had rather have for a companion than yourself." "Humph!" exclaimed Frank; "that's a nice idea.

I won't go." "Of course," continued the Ranchero, not heeding the interruption, "when you fail to make your appearance at home for three or four days, your uncle will think he has seen the last of you.

He will believe that you have been clawed up by grizzlies, or that you have tumbled into some of these gullies.